The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c9.221

c9.221

The first movement commences with the subject being given out in any râga or tâla that may be called for. The space of time occupied by this is termed an avatâr, and constitutes the chief rhythmical division or period into which the pallevi is divided. Each succeeding avatâr, though consisting of several short phrases, either linked together or separated by rests, must be of equal length to the original. Each avatâr differs essentially from those preceding, and if the voice is employed, commences invariably with the first syllable or word of the original theme.